Cape York residents have called on the State Government to ignore a petition signed by 280 000 city dwellers regarding the proposed bauxite mine in the remote region.

Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott and Cape York Land Council chairman Ritchie Ahmat want the petition disregarded and are in favour of the views of local traditional owners, who believe it will provide much needed employment opportunities.

The Cook Shire Mayor said “You’re talking to the wrong people when you’re getting petitions from people who don’t live up there.”